Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community Confirmation Program Student/Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 Student Name/s:________________________________________________________ Parent/Student Acknowledgement Form This handbook provides you with the mission of Santa Maria de la Paz’s (“SMDLP”) confirmation program and other critical information for the success of the program. The rules and regulations contained in this handbook are all based on our mission and the relevant archdiocesan and canonical standards. Students, parents, catechists, administrators, and parish staff all have important roles to play in our program. With so many people working together, problems may occur from time to time. The policies in this handbook have been created to deal with these problems. Like laws, these policies apply to everyone and they work only when everyone knows what they are. This handbook lists the rules and policies for confirmandi in SMDLP’s confirmation program. Please read them carefully. You need to know what they are because both parents and students will be held to these standards. The program must have this acknowledgement form signed so that we know you have read and understood the rules contained within this handbook. Please initial the lines and sign on the back of this page and return it to the Director of Youth Ministry or the parish office by September 13, 2020. A signed form must be a part of every student’s record. Your signature means only that you have received this handbook and have had a chance to read its contents. If you have any questions about this handbook, contact the Director of Youth Ministry at 629-1328 or at [email protected].
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Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community Confirmation ... Handbook - Confirmation 2.pdfSacrament of Confirmation. Many of our former confirmation candidates had life changing experiences
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2. Upon receiving permission for early dismissal of a teen, the parent, guardian, or caretaker
should pick up the teen from the Director of Youth Ministry or an appointed designee
(usually found in the gathering space).
a. Identification may be required! We WILL NOT release a teen to anyone who has
not been identified as the parent, guardian, or caretaker.
3. All teens leaving early must be signed out by an authorized person. The sign out sheets will
be with the Director of Youth Ministry. If the teen drives him/herself to confirmation
sessions, prior permission from the parent, guardian, or caretaker is required.
Student Safety
SMDLP is committed to creating a safe environment for everyone, but especially for the youth of
our parish. Adult volunteers are asked to help monitor all youth activity and report any suspicious
behavior immediately. In addition to calling you in the event that a teen is not present during roll
call, the Director of Youth Ministry and catechists will do the following in the case of a missing teen:
1. Make a brief yet thorough check of the church grounds.
2. Call you to inquire if you have the teen or know of the teen’s whereabouts.
3. If the first two steps fail in locating the teen, we will immediately call the Santa Fe County
Sheriff’s Department and inform them of the situation.
4. Always fill out an incident report and turn it in to the Director of Youth Ministry.
In the case of a child collapsing during confirmation sessions:
1. The classroom catechist immediately attends to the student, offering first aid where possible.
2. If the injury or condition appears life threatening, the catechist or the Director of Youth
Ministry will call 911.
3. After paramedics have arrived and attended to the child, an Archdiocesan incident report
will be completed and submitted to the Archdiocese.
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In the case of a child bringing a weapon on the church grounds:
1. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department will be notified immediately.
2. The student will be expelled from the program.
Student Supervision
Please be sure to pick up your teen promptly after the Life Teen Mass (ends about 6:15PM), or better
yet, attend Mass with them. Archdiocesan policy requires that at least two (2) adults remain with
teens. If you have not picked up your teen by 6:45PM, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department
will be notified and your teen will be turned over to protective custody.
Visiting the Classroom and Guest Speakers
No one is permitted to visit during confirmation sessions unless prior approval has been given by
the catechist and Director of Youth Ministry. If you want to visit a specific room, please make
arrangements at least one week in advance with the Director of Youth Ministry.
Catechists who wish to have a guest speaker or other person visit their classroom will make those
arrangements with the Director of Youth Ministry.
Weather Delays/Cancelations
Santa Maria de la Paz follows closure procedures of the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), that
is, if SFCC cancels classes due to inclement weather, confirmation activities will also be canceled.
Every effort will be made to contact teens via Flocknote text message should a cancelation occur.
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Confirmation Retreat
The Archdiocese requires all confirmation candidates to attend a confirmation retreat. This gives the
candidates a chance to reflect on their lives and helps prepare them mentally and spiritually for the
Sacrament of Confirmation. Many of our former confirmation candidates had life changing
experiences at the confirmation retreat, and we pray that your candidate will also feel the power and
love of the Holy Spirit during the retreat.
Our Confirmation Weekend Retreat is September 25, 26, and 27 at
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu
(To assure getting Ghost Ranch, we reserve the location one year prior to the retreat, so we
apologize if this weekend coincides with any homecoming weekends.)
Parents, please bring your son/daughter to Santa Maria de la Paz by 3:30PM on Friday, September
25. The bus will leave to Ghost Ranch at 4:00PM.
On Sunday, September 27, we will return to Santa Maria de la Paz around 4:30PM. Candidates and
Core team will meet at the Social Hall. The closing of the retreat is the Life Teen Mass at 5:00PM
during which we will have the Rite of Welcome. Sponsors are required to join their candidates
for Mass and the Rite of Welcome. Parents, please join us at the Mass.
There is an $80 retreat fee, traditionally paid by the sponsor. This fee is due by September 18,
2019.
Dress Code for Retreat Please have your teen bring comfortable, warm clothes and a warm jacket. Usually it is colder in
Ghost Ranch and keep in mind it could snow. Although we ask them to wear comfortable clothing,
we do expect them to be modest; no bare shoulder, no spaghetti straps or tight clothing. We need to
preserve a respectful and prayerful environment. Prescribed medications must be stored in a zip lock
bag and checked in with our confirmation teachers.
Below is a list of what your teen needs to bring for the retreat:
Sleeping Bags/Blankets/Pillow
Clothing for 3 days
Personal Belongings
Towels
Toiletries
Snacks to share
The following is a list of items you teen SHOULD NOT BRING:
Pagers, phones
I-Pods (only if they need it to fall asleep.)
Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs
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Worship, Prayer, and Service
Mass Attendance
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
2180. The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy
days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” “The precept of participating in the
Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy
day or on the evening of the preceding day.”
We as Catholics are obligated to attend all Sunday and holy days of obligation Masses. Failure to
attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation (without a grave reason such as illness) is a
mortal sin!
Teens are required to attend all Sunday Life Teen Masses (5:00PM). If your teen cannot attend that
particular Mass, they are required to bring a bulletin from the church they attended SIGNED by
either the celebrating priest or a deacon. You, as parents, are encouraged to set a good example
by regularly attending Sunday Mass with your children and all holy days of obligation. Where
possible, we encourage you to also attend other prayer services (such as the XLT Praise and
Worship services, Novena to the Holy Spirit, and other Masses).
Missing Sunday Mass jeopardizes reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation!
Candidates are required to sign an attendance sheet after attending Mass. If a candidate misses Mass
regularly, the Director of Youth Ministry will meet with the candidate and the parents to discuss any
issue that may be keeping the candidate from attending Mass. Candidates do get sick, but constant
absence from attending Mass shows lack of commitment to the confirmation program. Even if
candidates are out of town on vacation or break, they should still attend Mass. Candidates should
still bring signed bulletins from churches where they attend Mass while on vacation.
Parents are encouraged to attend Mass with the candidate. Parents are the candidate’s first catechist;
parents need to set an example.
Candidates will sit in the front rows of the center pews. The community should see who the
candidates are, and the candidates should sit as a group to support each other. Candidates who have
other “home” parishes must also attend the 5:00PM Life Teen Mass at SMDLP.
Rationale: The candidate freely chose to participate in SMDLP’s confirmation program rather than
the program at his/her own parish, so he/she must follow the same rules and comply with the same
requirements as our own candidates.
Eucharistic Adoration Candidates are required to attend one (1) hour of Eucharistic Adoration at least once in the
fall (October–November) and once in the spring (January–April) on a First Friday or the
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following Saturday morning, with their parents and/or sponsors. Our Catholic faith revolves
around Christ’s full-presence in the Eucharist yet many of our teens have never attended a
Eucharistic Adoration. SMDLP has a Youth Holy Hour at 8:00PM on the First Fridays of each
month. Candidates can attend this hour with their peers or they can attend at a different time
depending on their schedule.
Advent Holy Hour and Lenten Holy Hour Candidates are required to attend the Advent Holy Hour and Lenten Holy Hour. Teens need
to prepare themselves for these liturgical seasons rather than just wait to see what Santa brings them
or just “giving up” something for Lent.
Parent/Catechist or Director Conferences
If you would like a conference with either the catechist or the Director of Youth Ministry, please
contact the Director for an appointment. Please refrain from attempting to meet with a
catechist unannounced or during class hours. Please address all concerns to the Director of
Youth Ministry. It is inappropriate to discuss problems with someone who is not authorized to
provide a solution. As a last resort, you may make an appointment to meet with the pastor.
Parent and Sponsor Involvement
Our confirmation program requires involvement of parents and sponsors. As the primary
educators and supporters of your children, it is necessary to always be growing in your faith!
Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your children. Recite them
when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up.
– Deuteronomy 6:6-7
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate
substitute.” – CCC 2221
Children learn through example. If we aren’t attending Mass on Sundays, why should our children?
If we fail to actively participate in church activities (volunteering, continued faith formation,
stewardship), how can we expect our children to do so? Continuing education and formation is one
way to do so.
Parents and sponsors are required to attend an Adult Religious
Education unit.
There are several opportunities; beginning in September, Fr. Daniel will offer Adult Religious
Education units on Tuesday nights at 6:00PM in the Social Center.
Attending these adult religious education courses is a wonderful way to set an example to your
candidate.
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Church and Community Service As part of our obligation as Catholics, we are called to contribute our time, talent, and treasure to
our church and to others. Candidates are required to perform at least 30 hours of church and
community service. To share in this experience and to set a good example, sponsors are asked to
perform at least 10 hours of service (church and/or community), preferably with their candidate.
Serving others together creates a bond between you and your candidate. We’ve found that sharing in
this service experience has continued between the sponsor and candidate even after confirmation.
Church Service
All youth who have received their First Holy Communion are encouraged to volunteer in church
service such as altar servers, cross bearers, choir members, etc. If your candidate wishes to serve in a
ministry as part of their church service, they must attend two Sunday Masses—one in which to
serve and one to use as their Mass requirement. Unfortunately in the past, candidates have “double
dipped” by serving in a ministry for church service hours, then quit serving after completing the
required number of hours.
Participation in Parish Activities
You and your teens are encouraged to participate in all parish activities and programs. This is a part
of the ongoing formation parents need to instill in their children emphasizing our closeness as a
community of God’s people. Showing teens our love and caring helps them to further understand
Christ’s love and teachings. The following are some activities we may organize for the candidates to
participate in during the year.
Prepare and Serve Meal for Shelter
Candidates (and other youth of our parish) will prepare and serve a meal for the Interfaith Shelter
for a pre-determined day. This may require two-days; one day to prepare (cutting vegetables,
preparing other food), and the next day (day of meal) to actually cook the meal and deliver it. As will
be defined later, adults will do the cooking (to avoid any burns on the teens) but the teens can do
other cooking chores (cutting, spreading, mixing, etc.). This activity will count toward their
community service requirement.
Homework
Candidates are assigned two (2) written projects: a one-page report on the saint whose name they
choose for their confirmation name due October 11, 2021, and a letter to Archbishop Wester due
April 11, 2021. Please make sure your teen completes these assignments on time. If teens do not
complete these assignments by the due dates, you and your teen will be asked to meet with the
Director of Youth Ministry to discuss rectifying the situation.
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Confirmation Personnel
Fr. Daniel Balizan, pastor, is ex-officio the chief administrative officer of the Youth Ministry
and Confirmation program. He sets the policies of the Youth Ministry and confirmation
programs in collaboration with the Director of Youth Ministry and according to the norms
of the Archdiocese and all other relevant magisterial authority.
Tommy D. Baca, Director of Youth Ministry: Tommy is the delegate of the pastor and
responsible for enacting the mission and running the operations of the Youth Ministry and
confirmation programs.
Catechists: Our volunteer catechists teach the doctrine of the faith to the teens.
Teen Helpers: Teen helpers help the catechists in the classroom with lessons, individual
instruction, and other operational tasks.
Substitute Catechist: Substitutes will teach a class in the absence of the regular catechist.
Director of Youth Ministry’s Right to Amend
The Director of Youth Ministry has the right to amend this handbook for just cause. If amendments
are made, you will be given timely notification.
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2020-2021 Confirmation 2 Schedule
ALL EVENTS ARE MANDATORY
All events begin at 3:00 PM in the Social Center unless otherwise noted
August January
23: Registration – Parents and Candidates
30: Sponsor Session and Saints Presentation – Candidates and Sponsors, 3:30PM
1: Holy Day of Obligation MASS, Main Church 3: Class – Lesson 11 15 service hours due 10: Class – Lesson 12 17: No Class 24: Class – Lesson 13 31: Class – Lesson 14
September February
6: No Class 13: Class – Lesson 1 20: Class – Circle of Grace 25-27: Weekend Retreat, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiú
7: No Class (Super Bowl Sunday) 14: No Class 20: Candidate/Sponsor/Parent Lenten Retreat, 9:00AM – 3:00PM 21: Class – Lesson 15 Presentation & Rite of Enrollment Mass, 5:00PM, Main Church 28: Class – Lesson 16
October March
4: Class – Lesson 2 11: Class – Lesson 3 Saint’s Report due 18: Class – Lesson 4 25: Class – Lesson 5
5: Lenten Holy Hour, 8:00PM, San José Chapel 7: Class – Lesson 18 14: No Class 21: Class – Lesson 19 27: Mimes Rehearsal, 6:30PM, Main Church 28: Mimes Rehearsal, 3:00PM AND 6:30PM, Main Church 31: Tenebrae and Mimes Passion, 7:00PM, Main Church
November April
1: Class – Vocations (Lesson 17) 8: Class – Lesson 6 15: Class – Lesson 7 22: Class – Lesson 8 29: No Class
1: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:00PM, Main Church 4: No Class 11: Class – Lesson 20 Letter to the Archbishop due and ALL SERVICE HOURS DUE 18: Class – Lesson 21 25: Class – Lesson 22
December May
4: Advent Holy Hour, 8:00PM, San José Chapel 6: Class – Lesson 9 13: Class – Lesson 10 20: No Class 25: Christmas Holy Day of Obligation MASS, Main Church 27: No Class
April 23-May 1, Novena to the Holy Spirit, 6:30PM, San José Chapel 1: Confirmation Rehearsal, 6:30PM, Main Church 2: Confirmation Mass, 5:00PM, Main Church. Arrive at 4:15PM at Social Center
NOTE: Candidates are required to complete one First Friday holy hour in the fall and one in the spring. Candidates may choose to attend the Youth Holy Hour at 8:00PM on a First Friday or they may spend a holy hour on their own. Sponsors are encouraged to accompany their candidate. On Sundays when there are No Classes, ATTENDANCE AT SUNDAY MASS IS STILL REQUIRED.
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Prayer for Your Confirmation Candidate
Holy Spirit, strengthen our children with your gifts of Wisdom,
Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the
Lord, so that they may serve the Father and all as a disciple of Christ.
Grant that they may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Fill
them with the joy of your presence. Increase in them the fruit of your
Spirit. Help them to experience and trust your dwelling within, so that
they can count on your guidance today and every day.
Grant us the strength and faith to nurture them faith and prayer life.
Help us set the example of being a disciple of Christ.
Show us the way to help one another become better disciples of Jesus
Christ, sharing your love with our world and with each person we